DULUTH - Effective March 9, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, the largest insurer of autos in Georgia and in the nation, is lowering its overall auto insurance rate level in Georgia by an average of 1.5 percent.

The members of the Independent Jewelers Organization have banded together to spread some joy this Valentine's Day to people who are struggling due to job loss or home foreclosure. Gold Mender Jewelers in Hinesville has partnered with other IJO retail members to provide free sterling silver heart necklaces to about 100 deserving individuals.

By-products of the recent economic downturn - job losses, floundering businesses and dwindling retirement accounts - no doubt have members of the United States work force fearing for their financial futures. However, there are still a few employment opportunities out there - if you know where to look for them. Coincidentally, Hinesville and the surrounding Liberty County area just may be good starting points.

In hopes of creating about 550 new jobs for the area, Coastal Electric Cooperative is working with state agencies and the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority to expand industry and encourage economic growth in Liberty County's southern neighbor.

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia area rose to an unadjusted rate of 6.9 percent in December, up 2.9 percentage points over the year from December 2007. The jobless rate in Coastal Georgia rose eight-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 6.1 percent in November.

Articles by Section - Business

Every job has requirements. Factory workers are required to do specific tasks every day. Doctors have to abide by certain health and ethical codes in caring for patients. Cooks have to prepare food according to the menu.

The first three months of the year mean many things to many people. Snow. Super Bowl. Groundhog Day. Valentine's Day. President's Day weekend. Mardi Gras. Lent. And the promise of pleasant spring to come.